Practical robot ideas with parts, tradeoffs and a live Builder handoff.
Each concept is written for a specific long-tail robotics problem, then connects directly to RoboHub's BOM, CAD and firmware generator.
Mosquito hunter concept
Contained mosquito trap variants with honest safety boundaries around optical energy.
Phone-as-sensor architecture
Use an old phone as the camera, GPS, IMU and compute module for low-cost DIY robots.
Build a DIY pool skimmer drone
Step-by-step guide and parts list to build an autonomous pool skimmer robot that collects leaves and bugs from the surface. AliExpress BOM, AI-designed chassis, ESP32 firmware.
E-bike motor wheelchair conversion (Bafang BBS02)
Convert a manual wheelchair into a power-assisted one using a Bafang BBS02 mid-drive motor. Full parts list, torque-sensor integration, 48V battery and safety considerations.
DIY magnetic window cleaning robot
Build a magnetic window cleaning robot for your apartment building or single-pane windows. Parts list, magnet sizing, ESP32 firmware and edge-detection.
ESP32 chicken coop automation
Automate your chicken coop with an ESP32: dawn/dusk door schedule, headcount via Pi camera, water level sensor, IR heater control. Full parts list and code.
AI birdfeeder with species identification
Build an AI-powered bird feeder with species identification, photo log and rare-bird seed reward. Parts list, YOLOv8 training tips and Raspberry Pi setup.
DIY grocery cart that follows you
Build a follow-me grocery cart with UWB tracking, 12V hub motors and IR collision avoidance. Parts list and ESP32 firmware. Carries 30kg.
Gutter cleaning snake robot
DIY gutter cleaning snake robot. Carbon fiber rod, vacuum/blower head, ESP32-CAM and AI line following. Cheaper and safer than a ladder.
Anti-cat plant defender (humane)
Build a humane anti-cat plant defender with PIR motion sensor, water pump and ESP32. Detects cat-sized intruders, sprays a quick burst of water. Ignores humans.